FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 19, 2025
Media contact:
Megan Gray, President, News Guild of Maine
574-807-2843 | meganedoyle13@gmail.com
SOUTH PORTLAND — This morning, workers at the statewide Maine Trust for Local News launched their One Big Union campaign.
Two years ago this month, the National Trust for Local News purchased the largest network of daily and weekly newspapers in Maine.
More than 150 workers at this news organization are already represented by a union. But many employees are still excluded from the protections of collective bargaining agreements, even though they are part of the same company under common ownership. That means that they see staggering pay disparity and are more vulnerable to layoffs.
Today, workers filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to welcome nearly 50 additional people into the News Guild of Maine, Local 31128 of the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America. They are calling on the company to voluntarily recognize their expanded union that will represent all workers at the Maine Trust for Local News.
The News Guild of Maine already represents all workers at the Portland Press Herald, as well as the newsroom of the Morning Sentinel in Waterville. The newsroom at the Kennebec Journal in Augusta is also unionized as Local 14115 under the Communication Workers of America and in the process of merging with the News Guild of Maine.
The unrepresented workers who seek to join the News Guild of Maine include reporters, photographers, copy editors, designers, advertising representatives and business staff at the Sun Journal in Lewiston and the Times Record in Brunswick, as well as the weekly newspapers and newsletters in southern and western Maine.
The launch includes a rally at 10 a.m. August 19 at the Maine Trust for Local News headquarters (295 Gannett Drive, South Portland ME 04106). Press are welcome. If possible, please RSVP by email or text to Megan Gray.
Workers will speak at the rally and will also be available for interviews. Please see below for select quotes. For questions or to facilitate interviews, please contact Megan Gray.
The rally will take place next to the visitor parking lot. Press should park in that lot. For day-of logistics, please contact Alan Connell at 207-632-2096 or Patrick Cochran at 508-498-0138.
WHAT THE WORKERS ARE SAYING
Megan Gray (she/her) is an arts and culture reporter at the Portland Press Herald and the president of the News Guild of Maine:
“The Maine Trust for Local News puts a spotlight on the issues that matter most to the people in our state. Under nonprofit ownership, we are building a business model that could be a roadmap to sustainability for local news organizations across the country. We are here because we are invested in that future. But we need the Maine Trust to invest in ours too.”
Joe Charpentier (he/him) covers the environment for the Sun Journal:
“Joining together with colleagues in solidarity to ensure individual and collective rights has been an amazing experience. We’ve learned so much about each other and what our roles are at METLN, and we’ve come to better appreciate the hard work each and every person does that makes what we all do together possible. Unionizing ensures that none of us have to face challenges alone, that we have each other’s backs. That solidarity makes us stronger, more secure and more effective in the work we do together.”
Kendra Caruso (she/her) is a staff writer at the Sun Journal covering health.
“Those of us who are not represented have little influence over the environment in which we work. That changes today. Today we demand equal pay, equal respect and the same job securities that our represented colleagues have. As one company, one union and under one contract, we will hold the company accountable to its stated mission.”
Sophie Burchell (she/her) is a community reporter for Cumberland, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth and Falmouth and previously reported for the Forecaster.
“Whether newcomer or veteran, reporter or sales staff, every one of us deserves the benefits and protections of a union. We all deserve the chance to see a future in this work. As we stand here today asking to be voluntarily recognized as one union, I am hopeful about that future.”
Monica Speranza Cochran (she/her) is a page designer and copy editor at the Times Record.
“Frankly, pay equity and cost of living — or, really, the cost of existing in the U.S. — are big motivators for me in this unionizing effort. There is so much I want to do in life, but I am so financially behind my peers that I regularly have to lower my expectations and make my goals smaller.”
“Knowing that my counterparts at the Portland Press Herald make a minimum of $6 more per hour (or $11,700 per year) more than I do makes me feel unvalued and that the media I work on is less important than others.”
Rep. Matthew Beck (he/him) is a state representative from South Portland and a member of the Maine Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Labor:
“Beyond just informing us, local newspapers act as a critical watchdog, holding elected officials like me accountable, investigating issues that affect our health and safety, and ensuring transparency in state and local government. Without these important workers, who would ask the tough questions? The health of our democracy relies on the essential work these people do. We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude. We should treat these trained professionals with the respect that they deserve, the respect that they have earned.”
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About The NewsGuild-CWA
The NewsGuild-CWA fights for justice on the job for journalists and other workers. It is the largest union of journalists and media workers in North America, with more than 25,000 members across the US and Canada. The NewsGuild is part of Communications Workers of America, a union of more than 350,000 members.